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Zhou Yan felt a slight stir in his heart. Then he withdrew his gaze from the distance, locking eyes with this woman whose ethereal beauty dazzled him, and said, "Do you know me?"
The woman nodded, then shook her head and said, "Sooner or later, you will understand, but right now... it seems I've made a big mistake."
"I said it has nothing to do with you. If you feel guilty, why not offer yourself to me? I think I would be happy with that."
Zhou Yan chuckled leisurely.
The woman gave Zhou Yan a glance and sighed once more, "Not now, but under certain circumstances, I might agree with you...
Your body isn't without hope. In the Ten Thousand Soul Cave, there's a very special Yin Yang Union Pearl. With this item, combined with Fiery Flame Sword Heart Wine and intimacy with a woman, you can gain half of that woman's cultivation."
These words from the woman moved Zhou Yan somewhat.
He had only meant it as a joke, a bit of teasing, but unexpectedly, this woman was so foolish.
Unbelievably, she seemed willing to accompany him to this so-called 'Ten Thousand Soul Cave.'
What kind of place was that? Zhou Yan didn't know, but with such a name and treasures like that, could it be a good place?
"Let's discuss this later. Do you know my mother? My father? Or... other members of my Zhou Family? You seem to... respect me?"
Zhou Yan's tone was somewhat heavy.
"This matter... you'll find out in the future. Right now, in your situation, knowing wouldn't do you any good... Besides, my name is 'Feng Lingqing.' You've lost your powers; it will surely be difficult in the short term. I... I will merge with Silver Snow and become a sword to protect you for now."
The woman's next words left Zhou Yan stunned.
"Sigh... Who says that refining Crystal Stone Qi Columns is bound to ruin you? My Qi Column is a 'Mutated Qi Column,' so it's fine.
Who says drinking 'Fiery Flame Sword Heart Wine' will ruin your body? My body is fine, nothing's wrong!"
Zhou Yan didn't intend to say these things, but seeing this woman go to such lengths to 'comfort' him made him question, why?
He didn't believe his actions would touch the woman so deeply, so it must be due to certain powers or identity behind him.
However, it clearly shouldn't be related to the powers of Bixue Palace Master because initially, the woman only gave face to the Bixue Palace Master...
It seemed to involve many things Zhou Yan himself couldn't understand.
Zhou Yan hesitated slightly and explained the situation.
When he finished, Feng Lingqing was like a fool, suddenly frozen in place.
She could hardly believe it and carefully sensed again, but she still couldn't sense Zhou Yan's Qi Column's presence. However, this time, she sensed that energy resembling Sword Qi roaring within Zhou Yan, akin to a dormant Sword Spirit, giving an unspeakable feeling of profound oppression and shock.
Her expression shifted slightly, and she couldn't hide her shock. When she looked at Zhou Yan again, it was as if she was looking at a monster; her expression was extraordinarily remarkable.
After a long time, she exhaled deeply, marveling, "You... truly are fine; this talent is truly unprecedented. I never thought... I never would have thought..."
"It seems you're quite familiar with me? Then why didn't you know me before? Why did you try to act against me?"
Zhou Yan's brow furrowed slightly.
"Earlier, I was being pursued by Ji Family's Ji Taichong, barely escaping with my life at the brink of death. I had no time to assess my situation.
He was confident I would die, so he never pursued me.
As for you... I do not know you, nor am I aware of your situation. Initially, it was because I had a good friendship with Bixue Palace Master, a childhood companion. Since she protected you with three life-preserving Sword Soul Illusions, you must be significant to her, so naturally, I wouldn't kill you.
But I didn't know you were Zhou Wangchen's son, which led to prior events, up until I learned about your identity later on...
I don't know much about your affairs, but I know some about your mother... Yet these matters... sigh, you really shouldn't worry about them; wait until you reach the Sword Heart Realm to find out."
"...It seems things are more complicated than I imagined."
Zhou Yan took out a statue, examined the Affectionate Sword Dao Sword Intent on it, and glanced at the woman, then said, "Your emotions are rich... are you cultivating the Affectionate Sword Dao too?"
"Mm..."
The woman admitted with a nod, not hiding it.
Zhou Yan sighed, refraining from speaking further.
One thing was sure now, the Affectionate Sword Dao and Lifeless Sword Dao weren't his father's creation. It seemed they originated from his mother's side.
Zhou Yan pondered for a moment before continuing, "What relation is Ji Taichong to Ji TaiXu of Wangchuan Mansion Ji Family?"
"You know of Ji TaiXu as well? Yes, he is a cousin to Ji TaiXu, but his personality differs greatly from the generous and unrestrained Ji TaiXu. He's not fond of words but is incredibly vicious.
There's an Ancient Prohibition land in his family, a Desolate Land filled with ancient graves.
Ji Taichong sleeps daily in graves, even liking to flip ancient coffins onto himself, leaving just his head out.
Sometimes, due to the weight of the ironwood coffins, his head looks about to be crushed, turning blue and purple with a grim expression, but he persists regardless.
Thus, his 'wickedness' is well-known; no one dares provoke him.
..."
Feng Lingqing described Ji Taichong, and Zhou Yan felt his scalp numb. People like him were either abnormal or downright perverse.
With such a monstrous person in the Ji Family, and also a top genius like Ji TaiXu, it could be confirmed they weren't just any common family.
Zhou Yan sighed. Speaking of Ji TaiXu, he didn't feel much pressure, but mentioning Ji Taichong, Zhou Yan sensed they might cross paths in the future.
"I'm okay now, you can rest assured to heal. I also have my own matters to attend to. Earlier, touching you was because of your beauty, and I had improper thoughts, a common human nature, so I apologize here."
Zhou Yan's tone lacked enthusiasm.
In recent days, those he encountered, aside from the Evil Ghosts, were super experts beyond his comprehension. This made Zhou Yan feel immense pressure.
Only after deeply experiencing this realm disparity did he become more determined to train harder.
So after realizing this person might be an ally, he sincerely apologized.
"No... it's alright... it's alright... I, I also need to enter the Sword Space for healing, please take me. I won't disrupt your life."
Feng Lingqing hesitated slightly, then pleaded.
She resembled an exalted Fairy, yet at this moment, pleaded in a humble manner. How could Zhou Yan not be moved?
However, his resolve remained firm, not changing his view because of it.
He was about to refuse when he suddenly thought this woman seemingly knew something about his mysterious mother. Carrying an extra sword wasn't much of a hardship.
With this thought, his mind to refuse subsided.
Thus, he agreed to the woman's request.
After his agreement, strangely, Feng Lingqing hadn't had time to rejoice when the Silver Snow Sword let out a melodious trill resembling an oriole.
Sensing this, Feng Lingqing couldn't help but show a gentle smile, "Silver Snow, I need to sleep inside you for a long time to cultivate and recover, and from now on, follow him. Seeing you so happy with him puts my heart at ease, so obediently listen to him, understood?"
The young girl softly instructed as if talking to her daughter, with expressions full of maternal affection.
Witnessing this scene, Zhou Yan was deeply moved.
Is this the "Affectionate Sword Dao"? The sword had truly come to life?
Then what about the Lifeless Sword Dao? Wouldn't that sword be a bloodthirsty demon? Only desiring to kill, kill, kill?
Zhou Yan grew silent, pondering about his Broken Worry Sword—the exhilarating sense each time he killed...
Under Feng Lingqing's comfort, the Silver Snow Sword, like an obedient child, began hovering around Zhou Yan.
"You've not lost your cultivation, so I'm relieved. Then aspire to reach the Sword Intent Realm before sixteen; this realm will yield many unexpected benefits through interaction with Silver Snow."
Feng Lingqing grinned gracefully and spoke softly.
This smile was as though melting ice or the revival of all things, utterly transcendent in beauty.
As she spoke, she couldn't help contemplating, "Sigh... In this world, for a Sword Spirit to favor someone else's sword so much, he's the first. I wonder what face 'she' would make upon learning of such an astonishing talent?"
...
Dusk thickened, and autumn wind carried distinct chills.
The cold breeze swept past, rustling Zhou Yan's garments and tousling his hair.
Feng Lingqing had already slipped into a deep sleep inside the Sword Space of the Silver Snow Sword, which Zhou Yan now wore on his back, autonomously concealing its Divine Sword-like sharpness.
Indeed, the Silver Snow Sword resembled a little girl: mischievous, lovable, yet selective about choosing those it found greatly comforting to be close to—and currently, that person seemed to be him, Zhou Yan.
Silently, he flew on his sword with Qi Control, the wind whining beneath the bleak heavenly vault, with the earth all around a desolate stretch.
Night had gradually deepened, and stars had risen.
In the dimness of dusk, some glimmer finally emerged.
In the dark, Zhou Yan began seeing parts of the silhouette of Tianji City in the distance.
Finally, the place was growing closer.
Zhou Yan retracted his long sword, slinging it at his waist and marching forward.
At that moment, in the growing dimness, the sound of heavy footsteps reached him.
Four middle-aged men rode four Flying Horses, dragging an exceedingly opulent carriage behind them, traversing in his direction.
Behind the carriage, two women in white clothes trod flying swords to guard its sides. These two appeared innocuous, but the Sword Qi from them emanated a chilling aura.
These were two Cold Ice Sword Women Magic Sword Cultivators whose cultivation had at least reached the Sword Qi Realm!
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